Friday, January 11, 2019

6.


Best day ever. Bob and Sophie's 6th birthday. They celebrate by excavating mole hills.


We first decided on PONs as family dogs more than thirty years ago. A steamed up Polski Fiat 125 taxi was taking us to Warsaw's Okencie airport to catch the once a day British European Airways flight to London. The roads carpeted with thick snow. A time when the Berlin Wall was still in place and trilby wearing SB men in little blue cars would 'monitor' foreigners.  By the Soviet War Memorial, where Ryczinka Street broadens out, the cab stops at a red light. 'The Font' winds down the window to let some air in and the drivers cigarette smoke out. On the other side of the road a man in a fur hat walking his shaggy dog. They pause for the lights to change. Just then the snow slides silently off an adjacent roof. The avalanche misses the man but completely covers the dog. After ten seconds there is a stirring in the pile of snow and out pops the comical mutts head. Unperturbed and happy. It looks at its master adoringly. They bustle across the road - the dog shaking snow off its fur as it goes. We ask the cab driver what sort of dog that was. And so the decision to search for Polish Lowland Sheepdogs was made.


Wilful, stubborn, generators of mischief, lovers of mayhem, loathers of silence, devotees of mud, abhorrers of order. Our canine companions also happen to have been unfailingly enthusiastic, tireless with children, fearless as guardians, attentive as companions and determined that each and every day be more joyous than the last. Our experience has been that life with PONs is a life filled with constant laughter. Natures antidote to men in dark suits.Can there be any better 6th birthday greeting ?


This is also joyous : https://twitter.com/MeredithFrost/status/1083365592294412288


26 comments:

Liz Hamblyn said...

As it should be. A dog that gives you joy and love. I do read your blog daily and look forward to it each day.

Virginia said...

Happy birthday, happy PONs! I’ll bet that Warsaw PON thought he was having the Best Day Ever ... even without croissants!

Fi from Four Paws and Whiskers said...

Many happy returns to Bob and Sophie. I’m a little speechless about how long I have been reading about all your dogs. Love it but going so fast!

WFT Nobby said...

Happy Birthday Bob and Sophie! It's always a joy to read about you.
I'm wondering how may generations of PONs there were before Bob and Sophie and Wilf and Digby?

Lisa in Tokyo said...

Happy Birthday, Bob and Sophie! I've always wondered why PONs, as it is clear you and the Fon have had a few. We found Cherry on the theory that a herding dog would not be as inclined to eat our parrots as, say, my previous dog, a Jack Russel/Norwich cross. And PONs are hypoallergenic. And available in Japan, from a crazy breeder in Kyoto. And, as we all know, the perfect apartment pet. WELL, that last part hasn't worked out so well, but Cherry is really great with the parrots. Our African Grey tosses anything she doesn't want to eat herself to Cherry, and if we don't take the parrot out for breakfast quickly enough in the morning, Cherry will loudly complain. I'm not sure I could ever persuade my husband to acquire another PON (Cherry is his first dog ever and didn't come with training wheels), but I would do it in a heartbeat. At the moment, she is locked up in the living room to keep her from defending us against the kindly workman who has come to see why our kitchen cabinets are falling off the wall. (Sounds like something that might happen at the ROF!) Wishing the best day ever to you all!

Taste of France said...

What a great tale! You are so good at drawing vivid pictures with words.
"Willful, stubborn, generators of mischief, lovers of mayhem, loathers of silence, devotees of mud, abhorrers of order." Minus the mud part, this could describe a certain lover of walls.

Molly the Airedale said...

Happy 6th Birthday, Bob and Sophie!

Poppy Q said...

Happy Birthday to our two favorite dogs. Their antics must be a good break from 007 work. We love seeing their daily adventures and visits to the bakery.

Anonymous said...

A very happy 6th birthday to Bob and Sophie. But, they are puppies!! Where did all that time go?
Also thinking of Wilfie Pon today, who is still my screen saver (hope you don't mind) and of course Digby, who had already sadly travelled on to the next adventure before I discovered your wonderful blog.
Bob is on my mouse-mat.
Teena and Merlin
xxx

Susan said...

Happy birthday to the two of the most delightfully presented dogs in blogdom.

Judith said...

Might they each have their own croissant today? Happy Birthday Bob and Sophie.

10NISNE1 said...

Happy Birthday, Bob and Sophie! May your day be filled with croissants and mischief!

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
OMD I's late to ur pawty, Bob and Sophie... butts that doesn't mean I luffs you any less!!! Wishing many more increasingly best days at the ROF with Angus and The Font and may they continue find joy in your company!!! hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx

Mary said...

Happy Birthday to Bob and Sophie! How can they possibly be 6? I've been reading about your adventures since Wilf was the happiest dog. May today be your best day ever!

Camille said...

Wishing those two hooligans a most excellent and exciting birthday. May it be the best day ever!

Charlotte said...

Big Happy Birthday to Sophie and Bob. 🎈🎉🎊

Swan said...

Your dogs are a gift to us all..Happy Birthday Bob and Sophie

Peter Kouwenhoven said...

May they have the best birthday ever!

Emm said...

Six years? Not possible! Tempus does fugit when you have croissants and best days ever. A joyous day to Sophie and Bob, and to their humans.

Bailey Bob Southern Dog said...

For the first time in fifty four years, I find myself without a companion doggie. I began reading all about Bob and Sophie before their first birthday! Every morning, with coffee in hand, I would read their escapades to Bailey Bob and anyone else that should be around. This included visitors to our home, and people we would vacation with. Yes, that is correct, a group of adults sitting in a circle drinking coffee, with Bailey Bob in the center, all listening to me reading about Bob and Sophie! I do know how to select my audience! ! ! These same people often ask me, “How are your French Dogs ?”. Thank you to Bob and Sophie for being who they are! And thank you and The Font for sharing with us all the adventures of living with these delightful PONs. Happy Birthday Bob and Sophie!

rottrover said...

Happy Birthday, Bob and Sophie! Here's to a wonderful year ahead to you, and to your humans!

Emm said...

Sympathy to Bailey Bob's person. I lost my last doggo several years ago and have yet to find another to fill the gap, although I'm looking pretty steadily now.

ScrapsofMe said...

Gosh, how time runs out the hour glass. Bonnie the wee Scottie is 11 now and I started following your blog when you all lived in Italy. Now there is a new generation of Pons, and my gosh they are 6 years on. Happy Barkday to the pups! I hope they get bakery treats to celebrate.
Pam

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

That is quite the story of your introduction to PON's. Truly love at first sight, wasn't it? I wish Bob and Sophie many more years of good health and mischief!

Bailey Bob Southern Dog said...

Thank you Emm for your expression of kindness. Maybe your next dog will find you, as in the story of Angus and The Font!

Iza said...

Happy Birthday Bob and Sophie!